Pelargonium

(Storksbill)

Native pelargoniums bear some resemblance to their highly bred exotic relations: the leaves especially are similar, and there is the odd-shaped fruit that gives them their common name. But the flowers of the native species are elegant and dainty rather than large and gaudy.

Pelargoniums belong to the Geraniaceae Family, commonly referred to as the Geranium Family. It's a large family of about 750 species in 11 genera. In Australia the Family is represented by about 30 species in three genera, Pelargonium, Geranium and Erodium, the latter of which is not widely cultivated as yet, but there is certainly potential. Native geraniums are not widely cultivated either but some can be useful as bank stabilisers. They can be very vigorous too (sometimes even a problem) in damp soils.

There are a couple of species of Pelargonium that make excellent garden plants and will flower continuously through summer and into autumn. In particular, they are excellent as cottage garden plants and look great tumbling over a rockery or wall.

Pelargonium australe

This little plant tends to naturally form rounded bushes up to about 500mm high, but can often be more spreading. The leaves are quite rounded (ovate to round) and feature the distinctive Geraniaceae lobes. Flowers can vary from white with purple veins to mauve. It's an unassuming plant although it does provide good foliage texture and subtle flower colour.

It's found naturally throughout temperate Australia, it's tolerant of most soils and prefers full sun.

Propagation is easy from cuttings, but clones are best from plants that produce a good number of flowers (many don't) and from plants that produce good flower colour.

Pelargonium rodneyanum (Magenta Storksbill)

This brightly coloured perennial is found naturally in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia. It makes an excellent showy garden plant. It's a perennial that grows to about 300mm high and 500mm wide, with short trailing stems. The roots develop tubers, so it gears itself up for surviving tough times. It produces brightly coloured magenta flowers through late spring, summer and into autumn.

It prefers well-drained soil and can be grown in full sun or semi-shade.

Propagation is from seed, which germinate fairly readily. References suggest this plant could be useful as a parent in hybridisation with exotic species, which could create a weed problem (this is unknown).

Information sources:

Elliot, W.R. & Jones, D.L., 1992, Encyclopaedia of Australia Plants suitable for cultivation, Lothian Publishers.
Wrigley, J.W. & Fagg, M, 2003, Australian Native Plants, New Holland Publishers.
P. rodneyanum images courtesy of the Australian National Botanic Garden

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